Chapter the Eighth. of the Office of Compline, During Paschal Time

This Office, which concludes the day, commences by a warning of the dangers of the night; then immediately follows the public confession of our sins, as a powerful means of propitiating the divine justice, and obtaining God's help, now that we are going to spend so many hours in the unconscious and therefore dangerous state of sleep, which is also such an image of death.

The Lector, addressing the Priest, says to him :

^. Jube, Domne, bene- ff. Pray, Father, give thy dicere. blessing.

The Priest answers :

Noctem quietam, et finem May the Almighty Lord perfectum concedat nobis grant us a quiet night and a

Dominus omnipotens. perfect end.

3$. Amen. 1$. Amen.

The Lector then reads these words, from the first Epistle of St. Peter:

Fratres : Sobrii estote, et Brethren, be sober and vigilate: quia adversarius watch: for your adversary the vester dia bolus, tamquam devil goes about like a roaring leo rugiens circuit quaerens lion, seeking whom he may de- quem devoret : cui resistite vour : resist him, being strong fortes in fide. Tu autem, in faith. But thou, O Lord,

Domine, miserere nobis. have mercy on us.

The Choir answers : 1$. Deo gratias. Thanks be to God.

Then, the Priest :

Adjutorium nostrum ft. Our help is in the name in nomine Domini. of the Lord.

The Choir:

1$, Qui fecit ccelum et 1$. Who hath made heaven terram. and earth.

Then the Lord's Prayer is recited in secret ; after which the Priest says the Confiteor; and, when he has finished, the Choir says :

Misereatur tui omnipo- May Almighty God have tens Deus, et dimissis pec- mercy on thee, and, forgiving catia tuis, perducat te ad thy sins, bring thee to ever- vitam aeternam. lasting life.

The Priest having answered, Amen, the Choir repeats the Canfiteor, thus :

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to thee, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and thee, Father, to pray to our Lord God for me.

Confiteor Deo omnipotent, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, Sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater : quia peccavi nimis, cogitatione, verbo, et opere : mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precnr beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, orare pro me ad Domiaum Deum nostrum.

The Priet

Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam aeternam. Amen.

Iudulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. j 1$. Amen.

^. Converte nos, Deus, Salutaris noster.

Et averte iram tuam ft nobis.

Deus in adjutorium meum intende.

J$. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

Gloria Patri, etc. Alleluia.

Ant. Alleluia. i then says :

May Almighty God be merciful to you, and, forgiving your sins, bring you to everlasting life. g. Amen, ay the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

1$. Amen.

Convert us, O God, our Saviour.

1$. And turn away thy anger from us.

Jv*. Incline unto my aid, O GoH.

1$. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory, etc. Alleluia.

Ant. Alleluia.

The first Psalm expresses the confidence with which the just man sleeps in peace; but the wicked know not what calm rest is. The beautiful countenance of our risen Lord sheds light and gladness upon the faithful, and renews the hope of their own resurrection, which is to be after their sleep in the tomb. psalm 4.

Cuminvocaremexaudivit me Deus justitiae meae: * in tribulatione dilatasti me: mini.

When I called upon him the God of my justice heard when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.

Miserere mei : * et exaudi Have mercy on me : and orationem meam. hear my prayer.

Filii hominum, usquequo O ye sons of men, how long gravi corde : * ut quid dili- will you be dull of heart ? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying ?

Know ye also that the Lord hath made his Holy One wonderful : the Lord will hear me, when I shall cry unto him.

Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.

Offer up the sacrifice of justice and trust in the Lord: many say, who showeth us good things 1

The Light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.

By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they are multiplied.

In peace, in the self same, I will sleep, and I will rest.

For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. gitis vanitatem, et quaeritis mendacium 1

Et scitote quoniam mirificavit Dominus sanctum suum: * Dominus exaudiet me, cum clamavero ad eum.

Irascimini, et nolite peccare : * quae dicitis in cordibus vestris, in cubilibus vestris compungimini.

Sacrificate sacrificium justitiae,et sperate in Domino : * multi dicunt : Quis ostendit nobis bona %

Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui Domine : * dedisti laetitiam in corde meo.

A fructu frumenti, vini et olei sui: * multiplicati sunt.

In pace in idipsum : * dormiam et requiescam.

Quoniam tu, Domine, singulariter in spe: * constituisti me.

The Church has introduced here the first six Verses of the thirtieth Psalm, because they contain the prayer which our Saviour made when dying: Into thy hands, 0 Lord, I commend my spirit ! — words so beautifully appropriate in this Office of the close of the day. Jesus commends His soul, with confidence, into His Father's hands; on the third day, the Father restored it to Him. Let us confide ours to this Sovereign Lord of our whole being, and our hope will not be coufounded. psalm 30.

In te, Domine, speravi, noti confundar in seternum: * in justitia tua libera me.

In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy justice.

Inclina ad me aurem tuam: * accelera at eruas me.

Esto mihi in Deum protectorera, et in domum refugii: * ut salvum me facias.

Quoniam fortitudo mea, et refugium meum es tu : * et propter nomen tuum deduces me, et enutries me.

Educes me de laqueo hoc, quern absconderunt mihi: * quoniam tu es protector meus.

In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum : * redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis.

Bow down thy ear to me: make haste to deliver me.

Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.

For thou art my strength, and my refuge: and for thy name's sake tnou wilt lead me, and nourish me.

Thou wilt bring me out of the snare, which they have hidden for me: for thou art my protector.

Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

The third Psalm gives the motives of the just man's confidence, even during the dangers of the night. Then, we have God Himself speaking, and promising to them that serve Him, eternal happiness, and the sight of the Saviour whose Resurrection gave them life. psalm 90.

Qui habitat in adjutorio Altissimi : * in protectione Dei coeli commorabitur.

Dicet Domino: Susceptor meus es tu, et refugium meum: * Deus meus, sperabo in eum.

Quoniam ipse liberavit me de laqueo venantium : * et a verbo aspero.

Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi: * et sub pennis ejus sperabis.

Scuto circumdabit te ve-

He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven.

He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge : my God, in him will I trust.

For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.

He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.

His truth shall compass thee ritas ejus : * non timebis a timore nocturno.

A sagitta volante in die, a negotio perambulante in tenebris: * ab incurau, et dsemonio meridiano.

Cadent a latere tuo mille, et decern millia a dextris tuis: * ad te autem non appropinquabit.

Verumtamen oculis tuis considerabis : * et retributionem peccatorum videbis.

Quoniatn tu es, Domine, spes mea: * Altissimum posuisti refugium tuum.

Non accedet ad te malum : *^ et flagellum non appropinquabit tabernaculo tuo.

Qaoniam Angelis suis mandavit de te : * ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis.

In manibus portabunt te: * ne forte offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum.

Super aspidem et basiliscumambulabis: * etconculcabis leonem et draconem.

Quoniam in me speravit, liberabo eum : * protegam eum, quoniam cognovit nomen meum.

Clamabit ad me, et ego exaudiam eum : * cum ipso sum in tribulatione, eripiam eum, et glorificabo eum.

Longitudine dierum replebo eum : * et ostendam llli Salutare meum. with a shield : thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

Of the arrow that flieth in the day: of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.

But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast said: Thou, O Lord, art my hope : thou hast made the Most High thy refuge.

There shall no evil come to thee, nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

For he hath given his Angels charge over thee: to keep thee in all thy ways.

In their hands they shall bear thee up : lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk : and thou shalt trample under foot the .lion and the dragon.

God will say of thee: Because he hoped in me, I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he hath known my Name.

He will cry to me, and I will hear him : I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

1 will fill hi in with length of days : and I will show him my Salvation.

The fourth Psalm invites the servants of God to persevere with fervour in the prayers they offer during the night The faithful should say this Psalm in a spirit of gratitude to God, for raising up in the Church adorers of His holy name, whose grand vocation is to lift up their hands, day and night, for the safety of Israel. On such prayers depend the happiness and the destinies of the world. psalm 133.

Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum : * omnes servi Domini.

Qui statis in domo Domini: * in atriis domus Dei nostri.

In noctibus extollite manias vestras in sancta : * et benedicite Dominum.

Benedicat te Dominus ex Sion : * qui fecit coelum et terram.

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord.

Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord.

Say to Israel: May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth. ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

HYMN.*

Te lucis ante terminum, Rerum Creator, poscimus, Ut pro tua dementia, Sis praesul et custodia.

Procul recedant somnia, Ed noctium phantasmata ;

Before the closing of the light, we beseech Thee, Creator of all things ! that, in Thy clemency, Thou be our protector and our guard.

May the dreams and phantoms of night depart far from

• According to the Monastic Rite, as follows : —

Te lucis ante terminum, Rerum Creator, poscimus, Ut solita dementia Sis prsesul ad custodiam.

Procul recedant somnia Et noctium phantasmata ;

Hostemque nostrum comprime Ne polluantur corpora.

Gloria tibi Domine Qui surrexisti a mortuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu In sempiterna saecula.

10O

Hostemque nostrum cornprime. Ne polluantur corpora.

Deo Patri sit gloria, Et Filio qui a mortuis Surrexit, ac Paraclito In sempiterna saecula.

Amen. us ; and do Thou repress our enemy, lest our bodies be profaned.

Glory be to God the Father, and to the Son, who rose from the dead, and to the Paraclete, for everlastiDg ages.

Amen.

CAPITULUM. {Jeremias. xiv.)

Tu autem in nobis es, Domine, et nomen sanctum tuum invocatum est super nos ; ne derelinquas nos, Domine Deus noster.

1$. In manus tuas, Domine : Commendo spiritum meum. * Alleluia, alleluia. In manus tuas.

^. Redemisti nos, Domine Deus veritatis. * Alleluia, alleluia.

Gloria. In manus tuas. Custodi nos, Domine, ut pupillam oculi, alleluia.

1$. Sub umbra alarum tuarum protege nos, alleluia.

Ant. Salva nos.

But Thou art in us, O Lord,^ and thy holy name has been invoked upon us: forsake us not, O Lord our God.

1$. Into thy hands, O Lord : I commend my spirit. * Alleluia, alleluia. Into thy hands.

$\ Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord God of truth. * Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory. Into thy hands.

1$. Preserve us, O Lord, as the apple of thine eye, alleluia. y. Protect us under the shadow of thy wings, alleluia.

Ant. Save us.

The Canticle of the venerable Simeon, — who, while holding the divine Infant in bis arms, proclaimed Him to be the Light of the Gentiles, and then slept the sleep of the just, — admirably expresses the repose of heart which the soul, that is in the grace of God, will experience in her Jesus ; for, as the apostle says, we may live together with Jesus, whether we are awake or asleep. 1

1 1 Thess. v. 10.

CANTICLE OF SIMEON. (St. Luke, ii.)

Nunc dimittia servum tuum Domine : * secundum verbum tuum in pace.

Quia viderunt oculi mei : * salutare tuum.

Quod parasti : * ante faciem omnium populorum.

Lumen ad revelationem Gentium : * et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, etc.

Ant. Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes : ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace. Alleluia.

Dominus vobiscum.

1$. Et cum spiritu tuo.

OREMUS.

Viaita, qusesumus, Domine, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle: Angeli tui sancti habitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant: et benedictio tua sit super nos sem-

5er. Per Dominum nostrum esum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat, in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula sseculorum. Amen. $\ Dominus vobiscum.

Et cum spiritu tuo. ^V. Benedicamus Domino. 1$. Deogratias. Benedicat et custodiat nos omnipotens et misericors Dominus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. 1$. Amen.

Now dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.

Because my eyes have seen thy salvation.

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples.

A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory, etc.

Ant. Save us, O Lord, while awake, and watch us as we sleep; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. Alleluia.

The Lord be with you.

1$. And with thy spirit. let us pray.

Visit, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, this house and family, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let thy holy Angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may thy blessing be always upon us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

1$. And with thy spirit.

$\ Let us bless the Lord.

IJ. Thanks be to God.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and preserve us.

1$. Amen.

III

" ANTHEM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

There is a venerable tradition connected with this joyous Anthem. It is related that a fearful pestilence raged in Rome, during one of the Easters of the pontificate of St. Gregory the Great. In order to propitiate the anger of God, the holy Pope prescribed a public procession of both people and clergy, in which was to be carried the portrait of our blessed Lady painted by St. Luke. The procession was advancing in the direction of Saint Peter's; and as the holy picture, followed by the Pontiff, was carried along, the atmosphere became pure and free from pestilence. Having reached the bridge which joins the city with the Vatican, a choir ot angels was heard singing above the picture, and saying : ' Rejoice, 0 Queen of heaven, alleluia ! for He whom thou deservedst to bear, alleluia! hath risen, as he said, alleluia!' As soon as the heavenly music ceased, the saintly Pontiff took courage, and added these words to those of the Angels : ' Pray to God for us, alleluia !' Thus was composed the Paschal Anthem to our Lady. Raising his eyes to heaven, Gregory saw the destroying Angel standing on the top of the Mole of Hadrian, and sheathing his sword. In memory of this apparition, the Mole was called the Gaatle of Sant* Angelo, and on the dome was placed an immense statue representing an Angel holding his sword in the scabbard.

ANTHEM.

Regina coeli, laetare, alle- Rejoice, O Queen of heaven, luia, alleluia,

Quia quern meruisti por- For he whom thou deservedst tare, alleluia, to bear, alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, alle- Hath risen, as he said, alleluia, luia.

•Ora pro nobis Deum, alle- Pray to God for us, alleluia, luia.

Gaude et lsetare, Virgo ft. Rejoice and be glad, O

Maria, alleluia. Virgin Mary, alleluia.

1$. QuiasurrexitDominus 1$. For the Lord hath truly vere, alleluia. risen, alleluia.

OREMUS.

Deus, qui per Resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta quaesumus, ut per ejus Genitricem Virginem Mariana, perpetuse capiamus gaudia vitse. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.

1$. Amen. ft. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. Amen.*

LET US PRAY.

O God, who, by the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, didst vouchsafe to make the world rejoice, grant, we beseech thee, that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may receive the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.

1$. Amen. ft. May the divine assistance remain always with us, 1$. Amen.*

Then in secret, Pater, Ave, and Credo; page 30.

• In the Monastic Rite, this Response is as follows :

F7. Et cum fratribus nostris R7. And with our absent absentibus. Amen. brethren. Amen.

KffiC DIES QUAM FECIT THIS 18 THE DAY WHICH DOMINUS J EXSULTEMUS ET THE LOBD HATH MADE ; LET

The night between Saturday and Sunday has well nigh run its course, and the day-dawn is appearing. The Mother of sorrows is waiting, in courageous hope and patience, for the blissful moment of her Jesus' return. Magdalene and the other holy women have spent the night in watching, and are preparing to start for the sepulchre. In limbo, the Soul of our crucified Lord is about to give the glad word of departure to the myriads of the long-imprisoned holv souls, who cluster round Him in adoring love. Death is still holding his silent sway over the sepulchre, where rests the Body of Jesus. Since the day when he gained his first victim, Abel, he has swept off countless generations ; but never has he held in his grasp a prey so noble as this that now lies in the tomb near Calvary. Never has the terrible sentence of God, pronounoed against our first parents, received such a fulfilment as this; but, never has

1 Easter is the Anglo- Saxon word for April, and was derived, as Venerable Bede tells us, (in his book De temporum ratione c. 13,) from Hotter, a goddess of our pagan ancestors. Others derive Easter from Oeety Oo8t t the Saxon for rising, or the east : and hence, Osteren, the Resurrection. [TV. from Butler's Moveable Feasts.] fame* ran i. X

LJETEMUR IN EA!

US BE GLAD AND REJOICE THEREIN !

MORNING

PA80HAL TIME death received suoh a defeat as the one that is now preparing. It is true, the power of God has, at times, brought baok the dead to life: the son of the widow of Nairn, and Lazarus, were reclaimed from the bondage of this tyrant death ; but he regained his sway over them all. But his Victim of Calvary is to oonquer him for ever, for this is He of whom it is written in the prophecy : 6 0 death ! I will be thy death ! ' 1 Yet a few brief moments and the battle will be begun, and life shall vanquish death.

As divine justice oould not allow the Body that was united to the Word to see corruption, and there wait, like ours must, for the Archangel 's word to 'rise and come to judgement,' so neither could it permit the dominion of death to be long over such a Viotim. Jesus had said to the Jews: 'A wioked generation but that of Jonas the prophet.' 2 Three days in the tomb, — the afternoon and night of Friday, the whole of Saturday, and a few hours of the Sunday, — yes, these are enough : enough to satisfy divine justice ; enough to certify the death of the Crucified, and make His triumph glorious; enough to oomplete the martyrdom of that most loving of mothers, the Queen of sorrows.

'No man taketh away my life from Me : I lay it down of Myself : I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.' 8 Thus spoke our Redeemer to the Jews before His Passion : now is the hour for the fulfilment of His words, and death shall feel their whole force. The day of light, Sunday, has begun, and its early dawn is struggling with the gloom. The Soul of Jesus immediately darts from the prison of limbo, followed by the whole multitude of the holy souls that are around Him. In the twinkling of an eye, it reaches and enters the sepulchre,